Bengal Cats make excellent pets, but like any cat, they may start to show undesirable behaviors, such as pooping on the floor outside of their litter box. Why do cats do this?
Well, there are many different reasons and part of addressing the problem is to identify the reasons why your cat may not like his or her litter box.
In this article you are going to learn how to stop your Bengal cat from pooping on the floor.
Why Cats Go Outside the Litter Box
There are a few reasons why cats might go to the bathroom outside of their litter box. For starters, the litter box could be too messy. Cats are notoriously “clean freaks,” so if you’re not cleaning the box regularly, your cat is likely to start pooping outside of the litter box.
The litter box may also be too small for your cat to comfortably use the box. It should be at least 1.5 times the length of your cat. Any smaller and he can’t readily fit in the box to defecate or urinate. The litter may also not be deep enough for your cat to readily use the litter box.
The litter box may have a liner that your cat doesn’t like or that is a pain to navigate. The litter can also be a factor. May cats prefer unscented litters for their litter box, so if you are using a scented littler, reconsider it. The texture of the litter can also be a factor. Many cats like to use finer litters that they can readily paw at to cover their feces or urine after they’ve gone to the bathroom.
Trial and Error or Offering Positive Alternatives
When your cat stops using their litter box, you may want to set up a trial of different litter boxes. First, make sure that you have at least one litter box per cat, plus one, and make sure that you don’t have one cat bullying the others, which could keep one or more from being able to access the litter box, hence the pooping on the floor.
If you set up a trial, place several litter boxes near each other for a week or two. Pick different litters to try between the boxes or try different litter boxes in general. Just make sure you only have one difference between the boxes to be able to identify what is preferred. You can try uncovered and covered litter boxes. For cats that are defecating on the carpet, you might consider putting bits of carpet around the litter box to encourage them.
You also need to keep the boxes very clean, a good practice moving down the line regardless of which litter box and litter your cat prefers. Ideally, you will clean the box our twice per day and change the litter in the boxes at least once per week.
When setting your litter boxes, place them in different areas around the house. If there’s a specific spot your cat keeps going to, you might want to consider placing a litter box there, if you are able to.
Other things to consider are your Bengal Cat’s potential health issues. Older cats may have more trouble stepping up into a high box, so you could try one with a lower lip. In addition, make sure you have litter boxes on each floor. This is especially true when you have older cats who might not navigate the stairs as well anymore.
If your cat was scared by a loud sound or painful incident, such as constipation, you’ll also want to make their current box a safe place. Consider spraying pheromones such as Feliway around the litter box or using a cat attract litter or litter additive to encourage them to use the litter box.
Aversion Therapy to Stop Your Bengal Cat from Pooping on the Floor
When your Bengal Cat is pooping on the floor, you will want to clean it up well. Use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle or Petastic to get rid of the “evidence” that they’ve pooped there. Cleaning any potential residue is important because cats will often go back to the “scene of the crime.”
If you can, place a litter box in the area where your cat has been defecating. You can also put their bedding or food bowl in that site to discourage them from using the area as a toilet again.
If they are going in a specific room, you might consider blocking the area off while you retrain your cat to using the litter box.
There are other methods of averting your Bengal Cat from the area. Try tin foil, pieces of carpet flipped upside down so the knubby side is on top, or even use an over-the-counter cat repellent to keep your kitty away from the area.
In Summary
It can be very frustrating if your Bengal Cat is pooping on the floor outside of their litter box. Don’t despair though. There are plenty of different things you can try to get your Bengal to use the litter box again, from changing up the litter to trying litter boxes in new places. If you’re still having trouble, make sure to discuss the problem with your veterinarian, as there may be a health condition that is causing your Bengal Cat problems, such as constipation.
Our little Bengal has been with us less than a week and continues to poop on bathroom items, its cat tree hammock as well as a bed. How do we get her to go in her litter box?